For early retirement benefits, the benefit received is approximately 30% percent less than the expected full retirement amount. In general, full retirement now occurs at age 67. If the monthly full retirement amount is hypothetically $700.00/month, the 30% reduction would be approximately $210.00. Therefore, the early retirement monthly benefit would be $490.00. However, the disability benefit amount is the exact same amount as the full retirement benefit amount. Therefore, you would receive the full $700.00/month by accepting disability benefits. If you collect early retirement and later apply for disability, you are only allowed to collect up to one year of benefits prior to the date you file your application for disability benefits. Therefore, if in the interim you receive early retirement, that early retirement benefit amount will be deducted from the full benefit amount that you would expect to receive during the one year period prior to the date you apply.